Privacy Policy

Thursday

Cornelius Bennett, the best NFL athlete to ever wear the jersey number 97, was drafted with the second overall pick out of Alabama in the 1987 NFL draft, and went on to become one of the best NFL athletes ever to take to the defensive side of the ball.

Bennett would begin his career in 1987 with the Buffalo Bills, after being drafted and then traded by the Colts. He made an immediate impact as a rookie, racking up 8.5 sacks in 8 games played. He would continue to put up impressive sack numbers, but even more impressive tackle numbers. Over his career, spanning the years of 1987 through 2000, he had 71.5 sacks and 1,190 total tackles.

He was the most prolific in his time with the Buffalo Bills (he also played with the Colts and the Falcons). While with the Bills he would participate in the Super Bowl four separate times. He also appeared in a Super Bowl with the Atlanta Falcons.